Veteran snooker star John Higgins produced a magnificent fightback to defeat world number one Judd Trump and book his place in the final of the Masters at Alexandra Palace.
Trump's Strong Start Overturned
Judd Trump looked in commanding form early in the semi-final clash, establishing a three-frame lead. A composed break of 60 in the third frame forced a concession from Higgins and put the Englishman in a dominant position.
The Scot, however, showed his renowned resilience. He managed to reduce the deficit before the mid-session interval, pulling the score back to 3-2. This crucial fightback included a superb century break, signalling that he was far from finished.
The Pendulum Swings in a Tense Decider
After the interval, Trump reasserted his authority with breaks of 70 and 57. This moved him to within a single frame of victory at 5-3, putting Higgins on the brink of elimination.
Undeterred, the four-time world champion mounted his second major resurgence of the match. Higgins won two consecutive frames to level the contest at 5-5, setting up a nail-biting deciding frame.
In the high-pressure finale, Higgins held his nerve to craft a match-winning break of 70. This sealed a dramatic 6-5 victory and extended Trump's wait for a tournament win this season.
Historic Achievement for the 'Wizard of Wishaw'
With this victory, John Higgins, at 50 years old, becomes the oldest player ever to reach a Triple Crown final. The Triple Crown comprises the World Championship, the UK Championship, and the Masters.
Speaking to BBC Sport after his win, Higgins praised his opponent. "He is so tough to play against," Higgins said. "I missed a couple of reds to put myself safe and then he did what he always does which is clear up."
He revealed his mindset during the match, stating, "Even at 5-3, I didn't give up. It was the same against Zhao Xintong. Who knows, maybe my name is on the trophy? You just don't know."
In a testament to his enduring class, Higgins added, "I think I'm a better player now than I've ever been."
John Higgins will now face the winner of the other semi-final between Yize Wu and Kyren Wilson in the final on Saturday.
